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OOTP Dynasty Reports Tell us about the OOTP dynasties you have built! |
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11-23-2014, 03:06 AM | #1 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 317
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Road towards a Dynasty: Atlanta Braves
Schuerholz fires Wren, appoints young sabermetrician to GM duties Despite a successful 2013 regular season campaign, Atlanta Braves President of Baseball Operations John Schuerholz has fired GM Frank Wren after an offseason of leaked reports citing feuding between front the front office members. To take Wren's place, Schuerholz will appoint Zac Berwick, a 25 year old who has worked within the Braves organization the last few seasons as an assistant to Schuerholz. Berwick, who is from Southern New Jersey, is said to be a huge believer in sabermetrics and has developed quite a reputation around the league already. "I've grown up a Braves fan, so this is a dream come true," said Berwick. "Watching guys like Chipper, McGriff, Maddux, Glav, Smoltzy, Andruw as a child and now getting a chance to bring another World Series title to this great city of Atlanta, it's special." Berwick said that the team's roster is pretty much in tact for the 2014 season after signing Ervin Santana to a one year, $14.1 million dollar contract to replace the season ending losses of starting pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy. Here is a look at the 2014 Opening Day Roster: Rotation Julio Teheran (Age: 23) Ervin Santana (31) Alex Wood (23) Aaron Harang (35) Bullpen Luis Avilan (24) - middle relief Ryan Buchter (27) - LOOGY David Carpenter (28) - setup man David Hale (26) - long man, innings eater Ian Thomas (26) - LOOGY Anthony Varvaro (29) - middle relief Jordan Walden (26) - setup man Craig Kimbrel (25) - closer Lineup Jason Heyward (24), RF B.J. Upton (29), CF Freddie Freeman (24), 1B Justin Upton (26), LF Evan Gattis (27), C Chris Johnson (29), 3B Dan Uggla (34), 2B Andrelton Simmons (24), SS Bench Gerald Laird (34), C Ramiro Pena (28), 2B/SS/3B Tyler Pastornicky (24), 2B/SS Jordan Schafer (27), OF Ryan Doumit (32), LF/RF Disabled List SP Brandon Beachy (27) - Torn UCL, 12 months SP Kris Medlen (28) - Torn UCL, 12 months RP Cory Gearrin (27) - Right Elbow Sprain, 1 month RP Jonny Venters (29) - Torn UCL, 2 months SP Mike Minor (26) - Left Shoulder Tendinitis, 2 weeks SP Gavin Floyd (31) - Torn UCL, 2 weeks |
11-23-2014, 03:15 AM | #2 |
Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 317
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2014 Atlanta Braves Top Prospects
1: Wes Parsons, 21, SP, High A Lynchburg *#43 on OOTP Top 100 Prospects List* 2: Carlos Salazar, 19, SP, A Rome 3: Christian Bethancourt, 22, C, AA Mississippi 4: Jose Peraza, 19, SS, High A Lynchburg 5: Mikey Reynolds, 23, 2B, A Rome 6: Joe Leonard, 25, 3B, AA Mississippi 7: Tommy La Stella, 25, 2B, AAA Gwinnett 8: J.R. Graham, 24, SP, AAA Gwinnett 9: Jason Hursh, 22, SP, AA Mississippi 10: Kyle Wren, 22, CF, High A Lynchburg 11: Ozhaino Albies, 17, 2B, ATL International Complex 12: Mauricio Cabrera, 20, SP, High A Lynchburg 13: John Cornely, 24, MR, AA Mississippi 14: Victor Caratini, 20, C, A Rome 15: Todd Cunningham, 25, OF, AAA Gwinnett GM Berwick on the farm system: "It's pretty bare. We've got a couple of guys we are excited for, whom we think could make an impact, but we are definitely focusing on restocking it. Last edited by b10wick; 11-23-2014 at 03:53 AM. |
11-23-2014, 04:33 AM | #3 |
Major Leagues
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Braves start season with a sweep, use long ball to down the Brew Crew.
Zac Berwick's tenure as the Atlanta GM couldn't have gotten off to a better start as he saw his club go into Milwaukee and sweep a three game set. The Braves came out swinging to start the 2014 season, tallying 10 home run throughout the three game set. The club saw Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton go back to back to start the season against Matt Garza not only their first time through the lineup, but their second time as well. Then, in the second game of the season, Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton went back to back against Milwaukee starter Marco Estrada. News and notes: - Jason Heyward led the HR barrage with three shots, while Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman each have two. B.J. Upton, Andrelton Simmons, and Evan Gattis each had a home run, as well. - Chris Johnson missed the series finale in Milwaukee with flu like symptoms. - Ervin Santana picked up the win in his first start as a Brave, throwing six innings of one run baseball. He struck out four, while walking four. - It is rumored that Berwick is pushing hard to sign international free agent Brayan Hernandez, 16, out of Venezuela. The Dodgers, Mets, and White Sox are also rumored to be in the running. |
11-23-2014, 11:30 AM | #4 |
Major Leagues
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Braves lose out on Brayan Hernandez, sign Hector Martinez
The bidding simply got too rich for GM Zac Berwick and the rest of his front office as they wound up passing on a 16 year old centerfielder that their scouts absolutely loved. It is said that Berwick and company maxed their offer out at $3,000,000 but it wasn't enough to attain Hernandez's services. "He was heavily sought after," said Berwick. "He had interest from five or six other clubs as well as us. In the end, I think it was us and the Rangers and the Rangers had the luxury of offering more." Instead, Berwick came to an agreement with a twenty year old corner outfielder out of the Dominican Republic, Hector Martinez. Martinez is an above average defender in the corner outfield spots and posseses above average speed. His plate discipline will ultimately be the deciding factor on how far his career progresses. "If he develops a little bit better of an eye, maybe learns to put the ball in play a tad more, he could reach the bigs," said one Atlanta scout. Martinez signed for $120,000. |
11-23-2014, 08:05 PM | #5 |
Major Leagues
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Lucas Sims lost for 4-5 months
The Braves 2012 first round draft pick, starting pitcher Lucas Sims, was lost for the next 4-5 months due to radial nerve decompression surgery. Sims was selected 21st overall back in 2012. Sims had made three starts in 2014, going 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA over 12.1 innings. He had struck out nine and walked six. "It's sad", said GM Zac Berwick. "We really think Lucas could have a future here in Atlanta and now his 2014 season is pretty much lost." |
11-23-2014, 08:53 PM | #6 |
Major Leagues
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March/April 2014
NL East Standings - through April 30th Team - Record - Win Percentage - Games Back Miami Marlins 16-11 .593 Washington Nationals 16-12 .571 0.5 Atlanta Braves 15-12 .556 1 New York Mets 11-16 .407 5 Philadelphia Phillies 9-19 .321 7.5 Best Starter Alex Wood: 5 GS, 2-2, 3.76 ERA, 10.9 K/9, 3.2 K/BB, 2.40 FIP, 1.0 WAR Best Reliever Craig Kimbrel: 9.1 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 14.5 K/9, 0.96 ERA, 1.91 FIP, 9/9 save opportunity David Carpenter: 9.0 IP, 0.67 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 0.00 ERA, 2.20 FIP, 3 holds Offensive MVP's Freddie Freeman: .318/.397/.514 - .911, 4 HR, 18 RBI, .396 wOBA, 0.8 WAR Evan Gattis: .270/.305/.528 - .833, 5 HR, 11 RBI, .349 wOBA, 0.8 WAR Justin Upton: .275/.347/.461 - .808, 5 HR, 22 RBI, .324 wOBA, 0.8 WAR Braves Notes - Chris Johnson had a 14 game hitting streak snapped after he was ejected following his lone plate appearance, a strikeout, 4/19 against the Mets. Johnson was then suspended for 8 games following the event. - The team shifted starter Alex Wood to the bullpen towards the end of April after a mild forearm strain scare left the front office in a frenzy. The move also made room for Gavin Floyd, who is expected to make his season debut on May 1st. MLB Transactions 3/26/2014: The New York Mets traded Daniel Murphy and MiLB SS Luis Guillorme to the St. Louis Cardinals for CF Jon Jay. 3/26/2014: The New York Yankees DFA OF Alfonso Soriano. 3/31/2014: The Seattle Mariners signed 1B Kendrys Morales to a 1 year deal worth $3.4 million. 4/7/2014: The Detroit Tigers signed Barry Zito to a MiLB deal and assigned him to AAA Toledo. 4/10/2014: The Cincinnati Reds lost Homer Bailey for the next 10 months due to a torn labrum. 4/13/2014: The Boston Red Sox reached an agreement with the Texas Rangers sending A.J. Pierzynski and MiLB pitcher Henry Owens in exchange for Matt Harrison. 4/19/2014: The Boston Red Sox agreed to a two year contract extension with Jon Lester worth a total of 16 million. 4/30/2014: The Cleveland Indians agreed to a one year contract extension with Justin Masterson worth 8 million. |
11-24-2014, 01:01 AM | #7 |
Major Leagues
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May 2014 - Braves struggle throughout May, record plummets
NL East Standings Washington Nationals 36-19 .655 -- Miami Marlins 33-23 .589 3.5 Atlanta Braves 26-30 .464 10.5 New York Mets 25-31 .446 11.5 Philadelphia Phillies 19-36 .345 17 Notes from the GM It was a disappointing month that began to spiral once Justin Upton was taken out of the lineup due to a sprained knee. He is still two weeks or so away from returning. The rotation has a bit of a log jam at the moment. While we would like to limit Alex Wood's innings, he has been our best starter through the first two months of the season. Aaron Harang or Gavin Floyd may become expendable at one point, but we know pitching is a luxury to have. You can never have enough. The bullpen has been one of, if not the, best in the league. However, the offense is where the real problem lies. Seven of the fourteen offensive players on our roster thus far this season have compiled negative wars. Two of which, Dan Uggla (-1.3) and Chris Johnson (-0.9), are every day players. They absolutely have to pick up the pace. Braves Notes - SS Andrelton Simmons was suspended for 9 games after a brawl with Cardinals starter Michael Wacha. The brawl is the second of the season for the Braves, who saw Chris Johnson get the same nine game suspension in April. - LF Justin Upton suffered a sprained knee on 5/6 and will miss a little over a month. The Braves placed Upton on the 15 day DL and recalled LF Jose Constanza. - Zac Berwick made his first transaction as the new GM, albeit a small one. Berwick shipped AA Mississippi starter David Bromberg to Miami in exchange for swing man Kevin Slowey. Slowey is 30 years old and making $500,000 this year. He has a 1.15 ERA in 15 innings pitched thus far with the Marlins. He will report to AAA Gwinnett. MLB Transactions 5/6/2014: The Arizona Diamondbacks traded starting pitcher Daniel Hudson to the Miami Marlins in exchange for MiLB catcher J.T. Realmuto. 5/9/2014: The Cincinnati Reds traded starting pitcher Mike Leake to the New York Mets in exchange for two MiLB players. 5/10/2014: The Los Angeles Angels were forced to place Garrett Richards on the 60 day DL, ending his season with a fractured elbow. His expected recovery time is 7-8 months. 5/16/2014: The Oakland Athletics fired their manager Bob Melvin after the team got off to a 17-24 start. 5/17/2014: A day after firing Bob Melvin, GM Billy Beane went and brought a familiar face back to Oakland. He signed Tony La Russa to a three year contract worth $230,000 per year. |
11-24-2014, 01:51 AM | #8 |
Major Leagues
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Could Uggla be on the way out?
There are rumblings out of the Atlanta front office that change could be coming soon in the form of a new second basemen. Dan Uggla is signed through next season and is still owed close to $21 million dollars, but there are rumblings that GM Zac Berwick is shopping Uggla hard and looking at every possibility to move his contract. Uggla has had a horrendous start to the 2014 season, following up a terrible 2013 with an even worse performance. He has hit .206, up from his .179 last season, but has a slugging percentage of just .282. He has only seven extra base hits, five doubles and two home runs, through his first 198 plate appearances of the season. He has a WAR of -1.3. There are a couple of bad contracts throughout the league that Berwick could take back to help move Uggla, but it is rumored that he'd rather eat some of the money Uggla is owed than take back an equally bad contract. |
11-27-2014, 11:03 PM | #9 |
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The date stands at August 14th, 2014. The Atlanta Braves have played 120 games and even split them. Their record is 60-60. The season hasn't quite gone as expected for first year General Manager Zac Berwick, but Berwick is sure that things will turn around.
"It's been a disappointment," said Berwick. "We've got several guys under performing and we haven't been hit with any big injury bugs. It's just been a struggle." Even with the Braves struggles this season, they are only 6.5 games back of the Miami Marlins for the second wildcard spot in the National League. "We have a chance, a small chance, but things are going to have to turn around. Quickly." The MLB Draft came and went in the beginning stages of June and the Braves selected a shortstop out of high school, Montrell Marshall, at pick number 28. Marshall was immediately signed and has been playing in the Gulf Atlantic League. The Braves lone All Star this season was closer Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel has been remarkable yet again in 2014, having thrown 41 innings and posting a 1.98 ERA. Craig has converted 33 of 35 save opportunities on the season. Zac Berwick made three trades of Major League players as the trade deadline approached. The first came on July 9th, when the San Francisco Giants expressed interest in corner outfielder Ryan Doumit. Doumit had hit .108/.187/.120 in 91 plate appearances with the Braves. He had fallen out of favor with manager Fredi Gonzalez and was practically a wasted roster spot as Jose Constanza and Tyler Pastornicky had surpassed him as top pinch hitting options. In return for Doumit, the Braves received 28 year old outfielder Tyler Colvin and 26 year old reliever Brett Bochy. Colvin had a brief stint with the Braves but has spent the majority of his time in the Atlanta organization in Gwinnett or on the Disabled List. Bochy has posted a 10.2 K/9 in Gwinnett since coming over and served as a crucial set up man for the team's AAA club. Both figure to receive September call ups and potentially compete for a roster spot in 2015. The second trade came on July 30th when Berwick opted to move Gavin Floyd in a deal to the San Diego Padres. Floyd had been pretty good in his 13 starts for the Braves, going 6-6 with a 3.33 ERA. He tossed 83.2 innings. Along with Floyd, Berwick also sent AAA lefty reliever Luis Perez. Floyd has made two starts since joining the Padres and is now on the disabled list with a strained shoulder. In return, Berwick landed a 19 year old third basemen, Dustin Peterson and a 19 year old second basemen, Josh Vanmeter. Vanmeter has spent his time in high A Lynchburg, where he has gotten off to a hot start. Peterson was sent to A Rome where has has posted a batting average of .280 thus far. In his final trade before the trade deadline, Berwick sent reliever Anthony Varvaro to the Toronto Blue Jays where he received utility man Maicer Izturis and MiLB outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. To help cover some of Izturis' salary for 2015, Toronto also sent $1.5 million dollars. Varvaro had been very good in 2014 for the Braves, despite his ERA looking very pedestrian like. His 11.1 K/9 were impressive to the new GM, but Berwick stuck to his beliefs in bullpen alignment. He has gone on record plenty of times as to saying that a bullpen is the easiest thing to build, so perhaps he was selling high on Varvaro. With the acquisition of Izturis, the Braves optioned Ramiro Pena to AAA Gwinnett. Izturis has received time at 2B, SS, and 3B thus far in Atlanta. |
11-27-2014, 11:32 PM | #10 |
Major Leagues
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Braves release Dan Uggla
The time has finally come. With the Braves now sitting at 62-67 on August 23rd, GM Zac Berwick has decided it was time to cut ties with Dan Uggla. The team will be responsible for the remainder of Uggla's 2014 salary as well as the $13 million he is owed in 2015. Uggla appeared in 98 games for the Braves this season, 87 of which he started. He hit .205/.299/.337 with 10 HR and 40 RBI. Fangraphs had him worth -1.4 WAR. "I think it was just a situation where Dan was getting frustrated not getting the at bats he wanted and we were in a different situation as an organization," said Berwick. "We just felt that at this time it was better we go our different ways and see what we have in a few kids in the minor leagues." The corresponding move is to call up second basemen Phil Gosselin. He figures to see time in a platoon role with Tommy La Stella, who since being called up hasn't been what the front office was hoping he would be. |
12-02-2014, 12:13 AM | #11 |
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Braves cap disappointing season with loss, finish 81-81
A disappointing season in Atlanta has finally come to a close with a 4-3 loss in Philadelphia. The offense and pitching both seemed to be in a back and forth funk throughout the 2014 season and the Braves never saddled above or below a couple of games within .500. Let's take a look at some key Braves performances for 2014: Pitching MVP Craig Kimbrel - 55.2 IP, 4-5, 42/45 saves, 1.94 ERA, 69 K, 22 BB Other grades: A David Hale - 121.1 IP, 5-2, 3.04 ERA, 98 K's, 2.1 fWAR Alex Wood - 137 IP, 13-7, 3.74 ERA, 144 K's, 0.9 HR/9, 3.3 fWAR B Luis Avilan - 47.2 IP, 3-0, 2.08 ERA, 42 K's, 1.0 fWAR Aaron Harang - 154.1, 12-8, 3.85 ERA, 113 K's, 2.1 fWAR Jordan Walden - 55 IP, 3-2, 3 saves, 19 holds, 3.11 ERA, 72 K's, 0.5 fWAR C Julio Teheran - 227.1 IP, 10-15, 4.39 ERA, 182 K's, 1.1 fWAR David Carpenter - 54.1 IP, 6-2, 1 save, 7 holds, 4.14 ERA, 68 K's Jonny Venters - 22.1 IP, 1-0, 19 K's, 0.0 fWAR D Ervin Santana - 188.2 IP, 8-15, 4.96 ERA, 146 K's, 1.7 fWAR F Mike Minor - 171.1 IP, 6-13, 5.41 ERA, 156 K's, 2.5 fWAR Offensive MVP Freddie Freeman - .303/.364/.507 - .871, 664 PA, 27 HR, 83 RBI, 142 OPS+, 4.3 fWAR A Jason Heyward - .262/.341/.476 - .817, 660 PA, 29 HR, 84 RBI, 7 SB, 127 OPS+, 3.8 fWAR Justin Upton - .280/.355/.500 - .855, 507 PA, 23 HR, 95 RBI, 7 SB, 137 OPS+, 4.4 fWAR B Evan Gattis - .241/.285/.463 - .748, 537 PA, 25 HR, 68 RBI, 106 OPS+, 2.5 fWAR Andrelton Simmons - .252/.317/.384 - .700, 568 PA, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 96 OPS+, +16.0 ZR, 3.2 fWAR C B.J. Upton - .237/.301/.396 - .697, 644 PA, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 20 SB, 94 OPS+, 1.1 fWAR Jose Constanza - .304/.333/.398 - .731, 169 PA, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 6 SB, 105 OPS+, 1.2 fWAR Tommy La Stella - .269/.378/.356 - .734, 188 PA, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 108 OPS+, 0.7 fWAR F Chris Johnson - .233/.273/.366 - .639, 543 PA, 13 HR, 48 RBI, 78 OPS+, -0.1 fWAR Gerald Laird, Ramiro Pena, Maicer Izturis, Jordan Schafer - combined -1.5 fWAR |
12-02-2014, 12:22 AM | #12 |
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Wildcard Round - 2014
AL Wildcard Game: Oakland Athletics (89-73) @ New York Yankees (94-68) Jesse Chavez outduels Jake Peavy 1-0 while allowing only two hits through 7.1 innings pitched. NL Wildcard Game: Cincinnati Reds (88-74) @ Miami Marlins (90-72) Miami wins 2-1 while Daniel Hudson outduels Mat Latos. Notes: Joey Terdoslavich was named the International League's most outstanding hitter, blasting 34 HR's and hitting to a triple slash line of .316/.405/.583 - .989 |
12-02-2014, 12:56 AM | #13 |
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Divisional Round - 2014
Los Angeles Dodgers (86-76) @ Washington Nationals (93-69) Washington wins the series, 3-2. Miami Marlins (90-72) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (94-68) Miami sweeps the series, 3-0. Oakland Athletics (89-73) @ Tampa Bay Rays (106-56) Tampa Bay wins the series, 3-2. Detroit Tigers (88-74) @ Los Angeles Angels (99-63) Los Angeles sweeps the series, 3-0. Championship Series - 2014 Miami Marlins @ Washington Nationals Washington wins the series, 4-2. Los Angeles Angels @ Tampa Bay Rays Los Angeles wins the series, 4-2. World Series - 2014 Los Angeles Angels @ Washington Nationals |
12-02-2014, 01:01 AM | #14 |
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World Series - 2014
Game 1: Angels (Hector Santiago) @ Nationals (Gio Gonzalez) Angels 3, Nationals 1 Game 2: Angels (Tyler Skaggs) @ Nationals (Doug Fister) Angels 4, Nationals 1 Game 3: Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann) @ Angels (Wade LeBlanc) Nationals 1, Angels 3 Game 4: Nationals (Gio Gonzalez) @ Angels (Andre Rienzo) Nationals 2, Angels 6 The Los Angeles Angels win the 2014 World Series by sweeping the Washington Nationals, 4-0. |
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